I received a finished copy of this book via Bookish First, however I opted to listen to the audiobook As always all opinions expressed in my reviews are my own.
This is in interesting dark YA fantasy. I thought the world building was well done and the storyline is fraught with secrets that are slowly revealed as the book progresses. The magic system is interesting and not overly complicated. The inhabitants of Endla possess a certain kind of magic that have a somewhat symbiotic relationship with the magical forest that they live within. The forest is located on an island and is protected by a poisoned lake. Those who do not develop magic in Endla are cast out, and the people that live across the poisonous lake are seen as dangerous and a threat to the Endlan way of life. There are some complex family relationships that develop slowly, and they add a nice tension to the plot
Leelo our main character is coming of age and learning harness her magic and protect the land as all adults are expected to. At the end of her training year she will be trusted with all of the secrets of her people and the ways in which they protect the island and the forest. She is a bit too kind hearted for her cousin and Aunt who will do anything to protect their home, and often shy's away from the bloodier tasks that she is expected to perform as part of the rituals their people perform. It is her kind heart that puts her in danger when she saves an outsider boy who doesn't seem to be impacted by the magic of the island. She loves her home but begins to questions everything she has been taught about the outsiders as she gets to know him. She also begins to question all of the secrets that are being kept within her own family and is determined to get to the bottom of it not only to save the boy she has come to care about but to save herself and her home.
Overall I enjoyed this. It was an entertaining YA read with familiar tropes that I enjoy. It is a bit on the dark side and not everyone is going to enjoy the way the magic system works. There are some fade to black romance scenes, but the overall romance subplot doesn't overpower the main storyline.
This is in interesting dark YA fantasy. I thought the world building was well done and the storyline is fraught with secrets that are slowly revealed as the book progresses. The magic system is interesting and not overly complicated. The inhabitants of Endla possess a certain kind of magic that have a somewhat symbiotic relationship with the magical forest that they live within. The forest is located on an island and is protected by a poisoned lake. Those who do not develop magic in Endla are cast out, and the people that live across the poisonous lake are seen as dangerous and a threat to the Endlan way of life. There are some complex family relationships that develop slowly, and they add a nice tension to the plot
Leelo our main character is coming of age and learning harness her magic and protect the land as all adults are expected to. At the end of her training year she will be trusted with all of the secrets of her people and the ways in which they protect the island and the forest. She is a bit too kind hearted for her cousin and Aunt who will do anything to protect their home, and often shy's away from the bloodier tasks that she is expected to perform as part of the rituals their people perform. It is her kind heart that puts her in danger when she saves an outsider boy who doesn't seem to be impacted by the magic of the island. She loves her home but begins to questions everything she has been taught about the outsiders as she gets to know him. She also begins to question all of the secrets that are being kept within her own family and is determined to get to the bottom of it not only to save the boy she has come to care about but to save herself and her home.
Overall I enjoyed this. It was an entertaining YA read with familiar tropes that I enjoy. It is a bit on the dark side and not everyone is going to enjoy the way the magic system works. There are some fade to black romance scenes, but the overall romance subplot doesn't overpower the main storyline.